Search for storage

A new agency in the US called Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has mechanical engineer Arun Majumdar, in charge. The agency awarded $400 million in stimulus-act funding to 37 projects. More is expected. In an interview, Arun spoke, among other things, about what excited him most in energy tech. Storage. ‘Let’s say we create battery technology that improves hybrid electric vehicles. You can then use electricity to run our cars, and that becomes part of our energy security. Storage in general is a huge missing piece in the grid today. If you can get it cost effectively, that’s a game-changer.

For those interested in the technical details, Sandia National Lab has just published a study of energy storage applications for the electric grid: “Energy Storage for the Electricity Grid: Benefits and Market Potential Assessment Guide”. The technologies, the opportunities and challenges are all there.

‘The other part is carbon-capture technology for coal.’

Storage has long been seen as the missing link in the energy transformation plan. But coal? In the US (and elsewhere) one of the unresolved burdens haunting the coal sector, in addition to the emissions of CO2, is what to do with the coal ash—the remnant of burning coal—that is accumulating in 194 landfills and 161 holding ponds in 47 states. This ash is not an easy material to dispose of since it is laced with arsenic, lead, mercury, and many other toxic materials.

Yet, governments cannot let go of coal. It is after all cheap and abundant (so far) and the technology is tried, tested. Perhaps, we can place a ban on coal once other cleaner technologies start spinning energy to demand. Or is that a chicken-egg fix? Will clean tech really take off as long as coal is burning bright?

That aside, what advanced research in energy is happening in developing countries? Is it tailored to the need and resource availability? Should multiple agencies work together on this rather than leaving it to technocrats alone?